New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-01
STURGEON AND TIE BAPrIsrs.
\ LETTER FROM DR.. AKNrrAGE.

To me Edit0r Of Thc Trtbunc
SIR: Your snsuarly able corrcsponlent @. W. &. las
fallen into serious mistake in cabling that the Rev.
Charles H. spurgoon has seeded from the Baptist
communion" and that the event mas for some time
been expected and predicted" Also in editorial THE
TuguNE says" Mr. spurgeon has long been contemplate
ng the Baptist Church which nc has
JUS Effected" All this is mistake anu 1t will be under
stood b. many to mean that he has left the Baptist
denomination. while in fact no has shown no moro
Intention or leaving the BaptIss than he has OF with
drawing from the Christian ministry. Your London
dispatch Of October - puts the matter rightly in say
ny: Mr.. Sturgeon has withdrawn from the Baptist
Union" This l. entirely different thing. What then
the Baptist Union 1t sin "church,' a" COM
munon" dencmination.' but eirIly a fratefnal
IT, Each OF tho Baptist churches Of Great Britain Is EN-
tirey independent OF all conventions syn"ds a,socia-
tons assemblies unions, that there Is no baptist
Church communion there III the sense that there Is
Methodist. Presbyterian Episcopal Church. Each
Baptist congregation church has absolnt" control 0T
IT'S own faith and practice; aud the Baptist onion bias
legislative, judicial executive contro! IN tie case
whatever.
fourth article in the constitution of the Union de-
nnca it4 objects to hc: 40 cultivate anon; itS own
members respect anl love for another I" spread the
Gospel OF Christ Great Britain AMI Ireland by
sionary abor oropportune' conference, Tor
the public declaration Of opinion AMI for JOINT acton on
questions affecting the welfare Of the churches; To pro-
anl otlar Countries. and Tor other fracrnal ends, none
Of thea al cling the government Of the individual
churches or Of u cir pastors or officers.
That ,ay II Ia mere voluntary body, with which
English Baptist churches and pastors may or may not
connected they please, aul with which III TACT
many OF t.eun are not connected Mr.. @purEcOn was a
member tbs boly. AMI f)r ,ns sdtis factory 10
himself he mas withdrawn; bat that in way Affects s
standing ~ a Baptist in the Baptist denomination ot
Great Britain more than the withdrawal ot my eminent
brother. Ia " " Taylor rOm the congregational tlp
would affect hi, staining ~ the Consre ;tiionalSt ir-
nomination. or the retirement or Dr. Pumps br"ph5
the Church Congress would sever MN from me
Episcopal Church. -,
80 far from Mr. Sturgeon retire ,,cnt from the Blp
.t Union Implying his scc-s-on from the Bdptl>i~ ne
regarded that new expression ~ MS commence
the Old Bipt,t faith. Ia his Judgment. some nrh-
the Union had become un.ound in their doctrn
views and. he thought. were lmparing The en'ch'y
the Baptist ministry. Against TINS ne protested ana
left stand outside. stout Btptlst - ever anu
simply for this reason his own words express II;
" 10 pursue union AT the expense or the ru'h Is
treason To Jesus To tdmp2r with Ills doctrne - ~
come traitors Him. We have before Us the Wrctcheb
spectacle of profcSsedly orthodox CHRISTIANS phpN'R
aVovtus union those who deny me flith, cal the
fall ot fable and deny the personality ~ the Holy
Ghost -. .
France he hui been made foreigner IN hi naiTe lanb
ami our lac lrt burenei with like sorr"w hat those
Danish yet be OF another min ana enape uS
10 return"
clearly you could scarcely do Mr.. Spnrgcon greater
kninrs, than present the eNict facts Ia your readers
4 bundrrng correspondent OF me >cp''A''' 81 Lulh
burgh. first started the story mat ne IA se,'c rum
the Blp.ts. This the list number oI me fio."'"
BAPTIST Orgln LOn'pn, prunnuncrs Il cdltr' Ail IL
was 80 regarded in the uterance. NJ the Baptist mons
annual meeting held during the present month III
sheffield. Yours aiicctiouttcly, IHoMN~ AENUl Wl.
Pastor Oi the Fifth Avenue Baptist Chuich.
Nsr York, oct 81, l-S1.